Regulatory Insights
RLC remains at the forefront of new developments in Canada’s energy sector to ensure we can act effectively on behalf of our clients and their interests.
These articles cover the details of various decisions made by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). Browse our searchable archives below.
Pilot for Reclaiming Peatlands, AER Bulletin 2024-04
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Oil and Gas – Land Reclamation On December 14, 2023, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (“AEPA”) released the Interim directive: pilot for reclaiming peatlands - decision framework and support tools for...
AUC Updates to the Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation, AUC Bulletin 2024-04
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Power - Law On March 6, the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) made updates to the Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation (“HEER”) to align it with the Electricity Statutes (Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Grid)...
Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Application for Approval of the Mainline Tolling Settlement and Final Tolls, CER Letter Decision File 4637048, C28621-1
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Gas – Tolls Application Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (“Enbridge”) applied for approval of the Mainline Tolling Settlement (the “Settlement”). Decision The Canadian Energy Regulator (“CER”) approved the application, as...
Updates to AUC Application Review Process Following Generation Approvals Pause, AUC Bulletin 2024-03
Link to Decision Summarized Rules – Applications Updates to AUC Application Review Process Following Generation Approvals Pause On February 29, 2024, the Generation Approvals Pause Regulation expired. This regulation prohibited the AUC from issuing approvals for new...
Regulatory Appeals of AER Orders (Regulatory Appeals 1943516 and 1943521), Decision 2024 ABAER 001 (Redacted)
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas – Regulatory Appeal Application This decision dealt with the regulatory appeal by AlphaBow Energy Ltd. (“AlphaBow”) of two orders issued by the AER’s Closure and Liability Management branch (“CLM”). CLM issued the first order on...
Release of the Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development Rules and Directive 091: Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development, AER Bulletin 2024-03
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas – Development Rules The AER released Directive 091: Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development as part of the regulatory framework for rock-hosted mineral resource development. Directive 091 will come into effect once the...
AER Bulletin 2018-40: Production Curtailment Issues Panel Established
Curtailment Rules - Crude Oil - Crude Bitumen The AER announced in this bulletin that it had established a production curtailment issues panel. The panel is seeking feedback on the Curtailment Rules...
AER Bulletin 2018-38: Change in Notification of Primary Recovery Scheme Applications for Well Spacing Within the Oil Sands Area
Notification - Primary Recovery Scheme Effective immediately, applicants are no longer required to notify landowners and occupants of primary recovery scheme applications for well spacing within the...
TransCanada PipeLines Limited Application for Approval of 2018 to 2020 Mainline Tolls (NEB Decision RH-001-2018)
Link to decision summarizedCanada Mainline - Tolls - Long-term Adjustment Account (LTAA) - Pricing Discretion In this decision, the NEB considered TransCanada PipeLines Limited (“TransCanada”)’s...
ATCO Pipelines Decision on Preliminary Question – Application for Review of Decision 23537-D01-2018 (Errata) Compliance Application to Decision 22986-D01-2018 (AUC Decision 23953-D01-2018)
Link to decision summarizedWeld Assessment and Repair Program - Review and Variance In this decision, the AUC granted ATCO Pipeline’s application requesting a review and variance of AUC Decision...
Cymbaluk v TransAlta Corporation, 2018 ABCA 429
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Denied In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) considered an application by David Cymbaluk, Ferne Cymbaluk, and Philip Cymbaluk (the...
Dorin v EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc., 2018 ABCA 427
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Granted In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) considered Mark Dorin’s application for permission to appeal AUC Decision...
Westcoast Energy Inc. Application for the Spruce Ridge Program (NEB Decision GH-001-2018)
Link to decision summarizedWestcoast System Extension - Tolling Methodology In this decision, the NEB considered Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission...
AUC Bulletin 2018-18: Standardized Post-Approval Monitoring Requirements for Wind and Solar Power Plants
Wind - Solar - Post-Approval Requirements In this bulletin, the AUC stated that it is considering enacting a rule establishing standard post-approval monitoring requirements for wind and solar power...
AUC Bulletin 2018-17: Electric Distribution System Inquiry
Electricity - Regulatory Framework In this bulletin, the AUC indicated it was opening an inquiry into Alberta’s changing electric distribution system. The purpose of the inquiry is to map out the...
AER Bulletin 2018-35: Government of Alberta Curtails Production
Crude Oil - Crude Bitumen On December 2, 2018, the Government of Alberta (“GoA”) announced short-term reductions in crude oil and crude bitumen production effective January 1, 2019.On December 3,...
Nipigon LNG Corporation Application in respect of TransCanada PipeLines Limited and the TransCanada Mainline Pipeline System (NEB Letter Decision, OF-Tolls-Group1-T211-2018-01 01)
Link to decision summarized Liquefied Natural Gas - Directions to Provide Facilities and Service In this decision, the NEB considered Nipigon LNG Corporation (“Nipigon”)’s application for...
Abandonment Hearing Many Islands Pipe Lines (Canada) Limited (NEB Decision MHW-001-2018)
Link to decision summarizedAbandonment - Pipeline - Granted In this decision, the NEB considered Many Islands Pipe Lines (Canada) Limited (“Many Islands”)’ application for the abandonment of the...
AER Bulletin 2018-34: Updated Alberta Environment and Parks Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions
Download ReportUpdates - Public Lands Act - In Situ - Reservoir - Geophysical In this Bulletin, the AER announced that on November 22, 2018, Alberta Environment and Parks (“AEP”) updated the Master...
AUC Announcement: New General Phone Number and Email Address Provide Onestop Access to the AUC (November 29, 2018)
Download ReportToll-Free Phone Number - New Email Address The AUC announced the implementation of a new toll-free phone number which will replace the former consumer relations phone number and the...
Alberta Electric System Operator 2019 Balancing Pool Consumer Allocation Rider F (AUC Decision 24037-D01-2018)
Download ReportDemand Transmission Service - Demand Opportunity Service In this decision, the AUC considered the Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”)’s application pursuant to section 82 of the...
Alberta Electric System Operator 2016 Deferral Account Reconciliation (AUC Decision 23802-D02-2018)
Download ReportAESO Net Deferral Account Settlement - SurplusIn this decision, the AUC considered the Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”)’s application requesting to settle its 2016 net...
Coaldale (Town) v Britz, (2018 ABCA 392)
Download ReportPermission to Appeal - Dismissed In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (the “ABCA”) considered the Town of Coaldale (“Coaldale”)’s application for permission to appeal the...
Blazer Water Systems Ltd. 2019-2020 General Rate Application (AUC Decision 22319-D01-2018)
Download ReportWater Utilities - General Rate Application - Interim Basis In this decision, the AUC approved the continuation of Blazer Water Systems’ (“Blazer”) existing rates as interim rates...
AER Bulletin 2018-33: Reporting Related to Closure Activities and Directive 039 Moving to OneStop
Download ReportUpdates to Reporting As of November 29, 2018, the following reports must be submitted through OneStop, the AER’s online submission tool: reports related to well suspensions (initial...
AUC Announcement: Remembering William Andrew Grieve (November 21, 2018)
Download ReportIn RemembranceIn this announcement, the AUC announced that their recently retired chair, William Grieve, passed away on the evening of November 20, 2018.There were many facets of Mr....
AER Bulletin 2018-32: New Edition of Directive 017: Measurement of Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations
Download ReportConventional - Unconventional - Thermal In SituIn this Bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations...
AUC Bulletin 2018-16: Consultation on Specified Financial Penalties for Utility Customer Care and Billing Issues
Download ReportBill 13 - Electricity - Rule 003 - Proposed Changes In this Bulletin, the AUC invited written comments from interested persons on the proposed new Rule 032: Specified Penalties for...
Manitoba Hydro Application for the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project (NEB Decision EH-001-2017)
Download ReportInternational Electricity Transmission Line - Constitution Act, 1867 - Section 92A In this decision, the NEB considered an application by Manitoba Hydro for a permit pursuant to...
AltaLink Management Ltd. AltaLink L.P. Transfer of Specific Transmission Assets to PLP and KLP and the Associated 2017-2018 General Tariff Applications (AUC Decision 22612-D01-2018)
Download ReportTransmission Assets - Transfer In this decision, the AUC approved, with conditions, the application of AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AltaLink”) requesting approval of the...